Making a Match

AFIS Automated Fingerprint Identification System FBI has the larges AFIS system (50 million prints) in the US but local governments like cities or counties also have their own systems.

How does AFIS work? A computer scans and digitally encodes fingerprints so they can be searched at high speed. The computer stores the scanned fingerprints as a digitally recorded geometric pattern based on where the ridges start, end, or branch. A search algorithm then determines how closely matched the fingerprint is to the prints on file in the database.

How does AFIS work? (cont.) Once the search is complete, the computer gives you a list of all the possible matches and then a fingerprint expert makes the final verification. Most fingerprints today are taken electronically using a digital-capture device (like livescan) instead of the paper and ink prints. This allows law enforcement to immediately upload the print to AFIS and search the database for previous entries by the same individual.

Brain Break: Class Pass